| Title: |
Evaluation of the Zurich social competence training for adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (KOMPASS) |
| Authors: |
Schneebeli, Maya; Krinitski, Damir; Staib, Matthias; Seeger-Schneider, Gudrun; Pauli, Dagmar; Gundelfinger, R.; Walitza, Susanne; Jenny, Bettina |
| Source: |
Journal of Psychiatric Research, 197 |
| Publisher Information: |
Elsevier |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
ETH Zürich Research Collection |
| Subject Terms: |
Autism; Autism spectrum disorder; Social competence training; Adolescents; Group therapy |
| Description: |
Purpose Increased social demands during adolescence and early adulthood pose specific challenges for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without accompanying intellectual impairment. Targeted group-based social competence trainings are effective interventions. This work evaluates the Zurich social competence training (KOMPASS), a manualized program for adolescents and young adults (12-25 years) with ASD. Methods In this quasi-experimental longitudinal study with a naturalistic waiting period and follow-up, we assessed participants of the KOMPASS intervention (N = 108) at our clinic through parent-, teacher- and self-reports along with a computerized task. A subset of participants (N = 65) was additionally assessed during a waiting period prior to intervention, allowing within-subject comparison of change before and during treatment. One-year follow-up data for the KOMPASS intervention group were collected (N = 62). Furthermore, we analyzed pre- and post-data from 35 individuals who completed KOMPASS at external clinics using the KOMPASS- manual without prior introduction to the method. Critically, we used Bayesian statistics to show evidence for stability of effects and comparable outcomes across settings. Results Compared to the waitlist period, the KOMPASS training period showed a significant decrease in social and behavioral difficulties associated with ASD and improvements in social competences, which were sustained one year after training. General psychiatric symptoms also improved post-intervention in the KOMPASS training period. Participants from external clinics demonstrated similar significant improvements, affirming the manual's effectiveness in external settings. No significant gender or age moderation effects were observed for the primary outcomes. Participants and caregivers expressed satisfaction with the training. Conclusion KOMPASS demonstrates significant effects in improving social functioning and reducing ASD-related difficulties in adolescents and young adults. The study benefits ... |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
application/application/pdf |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/wos/001709215700001; https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11850/797360 |
| DOI: |
10.3929/ethz-c-000797360 |
| Availability: |
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11850/797360; https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-c-000797360 |
| Rights: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess ; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ; Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.42F5A4DF |
| Database: |
BASE |